Background: Reusable phlebotomy tourniquets may become contaminated through repeated use on the skin surfaces of multiple patients, the hands of healthcare workers, or various surfaces. Noncompliance with the protocol guidelines for managing tourniquets can contribute to the cross-transmission of microorganisms among patients. This study was conducted to determine the microbial flora and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of reusable phlebotomy tourniquets.

Methodology: Tourniquets were randomly sampled across the different areas of the hospital and were transported to the microbiology laboratory for isolation, identification, and antibiotic susceptibility testing of microorganisms using standard microbiological techniques.

Results: The overall bacterial colonization rate of the 50 tourniquets was 80%. The most prevalent isolate on tourniquets was Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (9, 22.54%), followed by Micrococcus (6, 15%), Staphylococcus aureus (5, 12.5%), diphtheroid (5, 12.5%), Acinetobacter (4, 10%) Enterococcus (3, 7.5%), Pseudomonas (3, 7.5%), Bacillus (3, 7.5%), and Escherichia coli (2, 5%).

Conclusions: Regular surveillance and disinfection of reusable tourniquets in resource-poor settings are recommended to decrease healthcare infections and the transmission of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains.

Natarajan A, Das S, Chaudhary N. Microbial Profile of Tourniquets Used in Phlebotomy at a Rural Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital. Cureus. 2023 Nov 24;15(11):e49328. doi: 10.7759/cureus.49328. PMID: 38143681; PMCID: PMC10748832.